Raveena Tandon Discusses Women Breaking Glass Ceilings In Hindi Film Industry

Hindi film industry women have shattered the "glass ceiling," entering all male-dominated areas, stated actor Raveena Tandon on Wednesday at the 'National Conclave on Mann Ki Baat @100' panel. Tandon, a 1990s and early 2000s Hindi cinema star, urged the film industry to emulate TV and OTT (over-the-top) platforms. They excel in compensating women fairly and creating shows with female leads.

"Pay disparity is discussed, but in TV, women earn more than men, which is fantastic given their work. Women dominate our TV industry. On OTT platforms, protagonists are mostly women, and women's issues are addressed. "Slowly but surely, the film industry is changing. It has been male-dominated from the start, but there is a shift. Our women have shattered the glass ceiling, entering every male stronghold." The 48-year-old actor said during the 'Nari Shakti' session. Tandon acknowledged that representation and pay disparity persist. But with women in powerful positions, change is coming." Today, top roles like director of photography, choreographer, director, producer, platform head, and channel head are held by women. "We are receiving the opportunities we deserve. A woman producing something understands the issues, sensitivity, and sensibilities, so we get more chances," said the Padma Shri awardee. Tandon, known for Mohra, Daman, Maatr, and the web series Aranyak, mentioned that in the '90s, Hindi cinema actors struggled to break free from stereotypes. "There is a significant change in the film industry compared to the 90s. You would be typecast for playing a specific character," she said. The actor won the National Film Award for her role as a woman subjected to marital rape in the 2001 film Daman. She said her filmography reflects the social causes she supports. Tandon mentioned that issues like domestic violence and marital rape were hidden. She faced many challenges while bringing a story like Daman, directed by Kalpana Lajmi, to life. "I didn't receive acceptance and struggled a lot, but the film won the National Film Award because it was ahead of its time. And 23 years later, we're still discussing it (marital rape) today." Tandon also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prasar Bharti on the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat. It is a monthly radio program set to air on April 30. She called Mann Ki Baat a "brilliant idea" for communicating with Indians via radio. Tandon said the PM's initiative highlights the country's unsung heroes, whose efforts often go unnoticed in mainstream media. "Many heroes reside in the lower strata of our society... Numerous people have made a difference at the local level with the resources they had... It emphasizes the efforts of those we don't often read about in newspapers. "But sir (Modi) brings these heroes to the forefront and inspires the country through this mass outreach... his one-to-one interaction with the people feels like he's telling your story. It has been so successful that through this medium, he has touched the hearts of everyone in the country," she added. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the one-day event, National Conclave on Mann Ki Baat @100, on Wednesday in New Delhi. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur was the guest of honor.